First look: Bobcat's all-electric, autonomous RogueX2 concept loader

The all-electric, autonomous RogueX concept loader from Doosan Bobcat, which first turned heads at CONEXPO 2023, has evolved. The new iteration, the RogueX2, was revealed at CES 2024. The cab-less RogueX and RogueX2 loaders produce zero emissions and feature a lithium-ion battery, electric drive system, and electrically actuated lift and tilt kinematics with no hydraulics.

Joel Honeyman, Doosan Bobcat vice president of global innovation, calls the RogueX platform a proving ground for Doosan Bobcat to look at designs and potential technology that could be applied to future work vehicles.

Taking the cab off a traditional loader allows for lift geometry experimentation that wouldn't be possible on a machine with a cab. On the RogueX, that meant combining vertical-path, radial-path, and variable-path lift capabilities in one machine.

Bobcat evolves the skid-steer loader

The most obvious difference between the RogueX and the RogueX2 is the undercarriage. Bobcat has designed this follow-up machine with wheels. Honeyman says changing from a tracked to a wheeled design dramatically increases the time that the electric RogueX2 can run on a charge – up to 8 hours, compared to the 4.5 to five hours runtime of the RogueX.

Bobcat says that axial flux motors give the RogueX2 incredible tractive effort, and the new machine delivers greater power output for demanding applications like grading, digging, or powering attachments for heavy-duty work. The RogueX2 can be operated either autonomously or via remote control.

Bobcat's legacy as the originator of the skid-steer loader makes the RogueX2 a particularly suitable project for the company.

"Our roots are in the skid steer," says Honeyman. "We invented the skid steer, so if we're going to do a really cool future vehicle, let's make it a skid steer."

The RogueX and RogueX2 remain in the research and development phase and are not commercially available.